General Want to buy a classic panda

[mpoulter]

Hi everyone

After a short while away from Fiat I'm back and thinking about buying a classic Panda.

I've been on the forum for a few years but having replaced our doblo with a new zafira have not been posting.

Anyway I'm looking for some advice from the people who know more about these car than anyone.

I've seen a 1l 91 Sergio tachinni with 60000 on the clock. No mention about timing belt on the add.

What are the intervals on these and do the pumps need changing at the same time?

I know rust can be an issue but the photos look okay and th bottom of th doors. Is there anywhere or anything I should be looking out for if I go to look?

It's priced at 750, is this a fair price. It does state that the rear brakes need looking at.

Are these an easy car to work on for someone with lots of enthusiasm and someone who has only changed spark plugs in the past?

Also is anyone selling one in West Yorkshire area?

I look forward to hearing from you.

 

[panda1408]

Dont get too worried about timing belts, they are very easy to change and as the FIRE engine is a non interference engine if it snaps you can just fit a new one and away you go. Water pump can be changed but depends on what it is like, probably easier to just change it for piece of mind.

Look for rust under the windscreen rubber and the scuttle panel, the rear arches, back end of the sills and the seams in the boot/ rear arch where the boot floor, inner arch and chassis rails meet and also the inner arch in front of the front wheels. Check the inside of the doors carefully, they go here first, tailgtes and bonnets can also rust along the edges. I would buy on body condition rather than mechanical as all the mechanicals are simple and cheap to fix and are perfect for a beginner.

£750 might be abit much if it is not driveable, you should be able to get a very nice useable 2WD Panda for that much.

 

[dave]

https://www.fiatforum.com/panda-classic/315257-richards-cars.html

 

[Aston Martin]

Theres a sweet black and white, gentlemans GT for sale in January.

 

[Pandarus]

Check for rips in the driveshaft gaiters too

Cheap fix if caught early enough but lack of gearbox oil is not a good thing

 

[mpoulter]

Thanks for all your replies there is some really useful stuff there.

Other than the one I've seen in leeds which seems a bit overpriced for a car with bad brakes, I'm really struggling to find anything at all. When I wasn't looking I saw loads for sale...

Does anyone know any for sales or under a grand?

Thanks again

 

[panda panda]

Theres a sweet black and white, gentlemans GT for sale in January.

complete with working heater

 

[panda panda]

Thanks for all your replies there is some really useful stuff there.

Other than the one I've seen in leeds which seems a bit overpriced for a car with bad brakes, I'm really struggling to find anything at all. When I wasn't looking I saw loads for sale...

Does anyone know any for sales or under a grand?

Thanks again

It was the same when I was/wasn't looking

BTW they all have poor brakes

Give it a month and ebay will have loads to choose from

 

[JamieK]

BTW they all have poor brakes


Selecta's have good brakes
And Gavin/Palio has a manual panda with good brakes, just need setting up proper like

 

[Dragon Man]

i have a good parking brake
pushed the car off the rolling road when the mot tester tested it's effectiveness heh

 

[panda panda]

True, I meant in comparison to modern cars. Always brake too aggressively in the mk3 after driving Fizzle.

My Mk2 managed to slow quite effectively, ie skid, yesterday. Quite enjoy it after years of thud thud thud abs systems grinding away.

 

[mpoulter]

A little update.

After speaking to the chap about the Panda, the lack of them around at the moment, and you guys feedback about getting a working one for the money, I have decided not to buy it. It just didn't feel right when I spoke to him so went with my gut.

On a positive note I have today been and bought a Fiat cinq sporting. You will probably be familiar with it as it belongs to the great Urchin. So I'm pleased to say it will be staying on the Forum. Many thanks to Paula I can't wait to get it.

I think there is a charge issue as with a new battery it spluttered a little when driving and the red battery light stayed on. After a Little run it was difficult to keep it running when re stsrted.

When I have it up here I will post something on the cinq section.

Thanks to you all for your help, and I will be keeping my eye out for a good Panda.

 

[Dragon Man]

nice one, hell it could be something as simple as the brush pack/regulator on the back of the alternator. should be a cheap fix i would of thought.

heh it may even be simpler and just be loose wires on the back

 

[panda panda]

I'm glad Richards cinq has found a new owner, I'm sure it'll do very well for you.
When I saw it I couldn't believe the quality of the paint finish despite a bit of fading.
Now you must promise to offer back to the forum first if you ever want to part with it.
Hope you will post some pictures and start a thread that little car means a lot to us

 

[mpoulter]

Thanks guys I'm really pleased with it. It's not with me yet as it wasn't drivable but when it is I will post some pics. I took it for a little run and was amazed at how nippy it is.

I'm going to have a proper look in the engine when it gets here and hopefully I will be able to see the alternator and access it with too much difficulty, otherwise I'm towing up the road to the garage. I live on a hill so working under cars isn't too easy plus the most I've done is change the plugs on our old multipla.

I'm guessing being a 95 model the paint should be solid, so do you think a bit of rubbing compound will remove some of the faded paint?

Yep, first dibs to the forum if I ever decide to part with it.

 

[VmanC]

Yep, rubbing compound should do the trick.